discussion Steve's Mclaren Mercedes MP4-25; Revell 1/24

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Good morning all. So this is going to be my contribution to Bob's group build.I have never attempted a wheeled thingy before so it's going to be a fun ride. Looking at the instructions and trying to piece together a build plan in terms of what to fit first or paint first makes me feel like a beginner again. Haven't yet formulated a build plan but I am sure that it will work out as I move along. Looking forward to taking part and following all your builds along the way.

Steve

 

[Andy T]

Nice choice Steve, and I'm in a similar boat with the planning.

 

[Tworrs]

Nice choice Steve.

 

[Allen Dewire]

Another blast from the past Steve! I'm in to see how it goes. I too am having trouble trying to get a system for painting before assembling and such. I think building cars is more difficult than tanks and wing thingy's...

Prost
Allen

 

[Nicko]

That's a lot of decals Steve!

Nick

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

That's a lot of decals Steve!

Nick

Yes Nick. The kit is marked as a level 5 and it may have something to do with the decals. No doubt I will soon find out why.

 

[peterairfix]

Lovely little kit I will be watching and if you don't mind something for your inspiration one I did a few years back

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Just a correction to my previous post #6. This is a level 3 build not a level 5. I was mistaken. I have also noticed that the main body panels have already been pre painted in a half decent silver/chrome. Is this normal for these types of kits. The instructions are showing a colour for the body so I am presuming it needs painting but I will be hard pressed to get as good a result as the finish that is already on. Peter, did you paint your car or just used the pre painted finish?

 

[peterairfix]

Peter, did you paint your car or just used the pre painted finish

Look at it closely it looks like I did paint it

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Well progress has been slow but I have made a start. Engine. gear box and floor pan assembled and ready for primer and paint. This model has given me the biggest head ache of any I have built. The reason being it comes pre painted in a half decent silver. The majority of the finish is probably smoother and better than anything I could hope to achieve. The decision I have had to make is whether to paint it or leave as is.
After much deliberation I have decided to go ahead and do my own paint job on it. 3 main reasons for this are
1. In the spirit of the group build it was the right thing to do.
2. There are some small blemishes in the paint work that will not be covered by decals. (see photos)
3. Any touch up required as a result of my heavy handed assembly techniques would show as the recommended paint colour for the body is a minor shade out from the pre painted body shell.
So having sat on this decision for 3 days I now have a plan and work should progress along more quickly.

Here are some of the prepainted shell and the blemishes that I mentioned.

 

[Waspie]

Just the mention of Jenson Button has peaked my interest. The modern F1 gentleman.
Shame about the blemishes, I'm sure it won't deter you from producing an excellent MP4.

 

[Guest]

Nice one, I love adore F1. (well, used to) I look forward to seeing that come along.

 

[davecov]

Good luck with your build, Steve.

I made one of these twelve years ago (I used Alclad 2 lacquers) and what I remember about the build is the problem I had getting the decals to sit correctly, especially at the tip of the nose and on the side pods. I was so fed up with the decals on my build that I sold the Lewis Hamilton version rather than make it!

Dave

 

[Andy T]

Is it prepainted or just moulded in a silvery plastic? Those blemishes look like flow lines from the moulding process.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Is it prepainted or just moulded in a silvery plastic? Those blemishes look like flow lines from the moulding process.

I think it is painted Andy. The body shell and other components are a different colour than the rest of the sprues and parts. I will double check later when home from work later. The picture doesn't do the shell justice as it really does have a nice deep gloss finish.

 

[Guest]

I agree with Andy: that looks like bare plastic. Metallic-coloured plastic is about the worst you can have, because you always get different shades in it, that you can see as flow lines like on your model, as well as when you cut or scrape it, when it will always turn darker than the rest. Remove mould lines etc. and then spray the body silver, is my advice.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I agree with Andy: that looks like bare plastic. Metallic-coloured plastic is about the worst you can have, because you always get different shades in it, that you can see as flow lines like on your model, as well as when you cut or scrape it, when it will always turn darker than the rest. Remove mould lines etc. and then spray the body silver, is my advice.

I have never come across this before so it has been an eye opener for me. I think Andy has nailed it with his explanation and it will be getting painted.

 

[Ian M]

Yep. Silver plastic. I build a Scania cab a while back that had Blue metal flake plastic. I polished some up as they did not get used and they looked pretty good. but the slightest scuff or scratch.... destroyed. Paint will look much better.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Quick update. Some progress over past couple of days. Parts given a very light coat of white primer which doesn't show up well in the photos. Air intakes assembled and fitted. Axles and floor pan painted with 90% Gloss Black and 10% Metalic silver mix. Started to assemble as much of the body shell as I can so that it can all be sprayed as a single unit. Parts went together really neatly, Also partially assembled front and rear spoilers. Also ordered a set of photo etched seat belts. Not sure if they are the right colour. Despite much research I couldn't find a picture of the seat belts on line. Anything will be better than the moulded ones in the kit. Plenty of cleaning up to do before painting.

 

[Lee Drennen]

Updates look great. I like those seat belts.